Preston's corporate games set to be UK's biggest

More than 4,500 athletes are expected to take part in more than 125 events with approximately 1,000 medals awarded to competitors.

The event, which kicks off on Thursday July 12 and runs through to Sunday, will also give a welcome economic boost with organisers hoping as much as £3m will be spent in the city.

More than 450 officials and events assistants will need to be recruited with the city’s leisure and hospitality sector experiencing a financial boost due to an influx of visitors.

Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, cabinet member for resources, said: “Preston is looking forward to hosting what we hope to be the most successful UK Corporate Games ever.

“We can’t put a figure on how much the event will generate but looking at anecdotal evidence, we can see that there has been a significant boost in trade for those businesses in the travel and tourism sector, with pubs and restaurants also feeling the spin off benefits.”

In Broughton, The Marriott Hotel's 149 rooms are fully booked and the Hopliday Inn Preston has just a handful of its 133 rooms still available. Invincibles Catering, which is providing packed lunches for competitors is also fully booked for the duration of the games.

Martyn Rawlinson added: “In Liverpool it was estimated the Corporate Games brought in an additional £2m to £3m in revenue. Of course we would be delighted to repeat that level of income.”

“This is just one of the many key events happening in Preston during our Guild Year, which will help put us on the map. Not only is it a chance for people to compete and achieve success in sport, it is a chance for us as a city to welcome business people from other parts of the country and show them what we have to offer as a business location.”

Participating companies in this year’s event include Vodafone, Intel, IBM, BUPA, Conlon Construction, UCLan, Grant Thornton, Pannone and Red Bull.